The God Who Became Man

Introduction

In Greek mythology, the gods had many features like those of human beings. Supposedly, in their nature, they were not much different than people. But, they were thought to have power that was superior to human power. However, because of their human characteristics, they could identify with humanity. As stated in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, "In Greece, all the gods of worship were essentially friendly to man, because they were akin to him and a part of the society in which he lived" (Arthur Fairbanks).

Christianity does not promote a belief in the plurality, or the multiplicity of gods. The God who has revealed Himself in the Scriptures is one God, not many gods. And, the one God of Christianity is not to be likened merely to fallen creatures, or depraved human beings. Yet, on the basis of biblical teachings, and not on the figment of human imagination, it is clear that the eternal God did incarnate Himself in human flesh.

In Jesus Christ, Who was and is one in the same with Him, God took on the appearance of a man. In this light, He is, as the title sets forth, "The God Who Became Man!" Our special text for this time reads, "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5). Jesus is God! Jesus is man! Jesus is the God-man! And, these three truths form the premise for this study.

I. Jesus Is God! (Revelation)

The "one God" has been revealed in the person of Christ. Jesus taught that "No man hath seen God at any time" (John 1:17). However, as "the only begotten Son, Which is in the bosom of the Father," He also taught that He "declared Him" (1:17). The word "declared" is the word from which we get our word "exegesis," meaning "to bring into visibility that which is." Thus, it is correct to say, "Jesus is the Exegesis of God" (G. Campbell Morgan). Being God in the flesh, Jesus is the complete revelation of God.

A. Jesus Revealed God's Existence

Because Jesus existed on this earth, He has confronted the human family with the reality and the existence of God. How do we know that there is a God? Well, the answers to that question are multiple. The creation, for instance, demands the existence of a Creator. And, the design in nature requires a Designer. Yet, in the light of our present study, we know there is a God because He has revealed Himself in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Some of the names by which Christ is revealed magnify the existence of God. He was given the title, "Immanuel" (Isa. 7:14; cf. Matt. 1:23), which means "God with us!" We conclude, therefore, if Christ is "God with us," then there must be a God! Another prophecy of Isaiah said He would be called "the mighty God" (Isa. 9:6). The fact that Jesus has a name like this more than infers that there is "a mighty God!"

B. Jesus Revealed God's Essence

To see Jesus was to see God! To hear Jesus was to hear God! To know Jesus was to know God! This is not just a religious opinion. Jesus proclaimed these truths! On one occasion, He told His own disciple, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9). Again, Jesus taught His followers, "The word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father's Which sent Me" (John 14:24).

About this matter of knowing Jesus as knowing God, Jesus made some very conclusive statements. He claimed to be the embodiment of divine revelation. In one setting, He declared, "All things are delivered to Me of My Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and He to whom the Son will reveal Him" (Luke 10:22).

C. Jesus Revealed God's Excellence

As God, Jesus was one in the same with the Father. Thus, His attributes were the attributes of God. As the Great I Am was and is Self-existent, so the Son, as the I Am, was and is Self-existent (see  John 6:35). As the Father was and is eternal, so the Son was and is eternal (see John 8:58). As the Father was and is immutable, so the Son was and is unchanging (see Heb. 13:8). As the Father was and is faithful, so Christ was and is faithful (see 2 Tim. 2:13).

Since "it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell" (Col. 1:19), all the divine attributes were resident in Jesus. As the Father was and is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, so the Son was and is the same (see Matt. 28:18; John 3:13; John 2:23-25). As the Father was and is a God of love, grace, and mercy, so the Son is loving, gracious, and merciful (see John 14:21; John 1:14; 2 Tim. 1:2). This is not a complete list, but the emphasis is clear.

Yes, there is a God! And, that God has revealed Himself in Christ. He is "The God Who Became Man." Having viewed the Godhood of Jesus, then, let's consider His manhood.

II. Jesus Is Man! (Representation)

In our text, we are not only confronted with the Deity of Jesus Christ, in the words, "one God," but we are faced with His humanity in the phrase, "the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5). As God in the flesh, Jesus revealed God to man. But, as man, He fully represented the human family in life, death, resurrection, and exaltation.

As we look at "the man Christ Jesus," we are confronted with:

A. The Manifestation of His Humanity

Jesus was as much man as He was God! As we have previously noted, He was made flesh to reveal God. But, while His Godhood was set forth in His manhood, His manhood was as genuine as       His Godhood. He was not an electronical robot or a genetic clone. God literally dwelt in a human body, a body like yours and mine.

In His humanity, Jesus experienced the reality of human existence. Thus, He personally experienced and knew hunger (see Matt. 4:2; Mark 11:12); thirst (see John 4:7; 19:28); weariness (see Luke 9:58; John 4:6); temptation (see Matt. 4:1; John 14:30); pain (see Isa. 53:3; Heb. 5:8); and death (see John 19:30; Rom. 5:8).

Again, this subject confronts us with:

B. The Ministries of His Humanity

When God assumed a body of flesh, a series of ministries were set in motion. First, He came to do what the law could not do - - condemn sin "in the flesh" (Rom. 8:2). And, by partaking of flesh and blood, as the Seed of the woman, the enemy could be crushed (see Gen. 3:15). "He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb. 2:14).

As well, by living in this world, and facing everything we face, Jesus is the sympathizing Savior. Thank God! "For we have not an High Priest Which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15). Again, we read, "For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted" (Heb. 2:18).

Before moving on to a final emphasis, we can't help but reflect on:

C. The Mystery of His Humanity

The fact that God was manifested in human flesh is the mystery of all mysteries. Yes, God becoming flesh is a truth that has been revealed. Yet, it is so vast a truth that the human mind cannot fully comprehend it all. Even the Apostle Paul, one of the most spiritually developed of all believers, referred to God manifesting Himself in human flesh as "the mystery of godliness" (1 Tim. 3:16).

The mystery seems to be concentrated in the fact that being God, Jesus was not more than a genuine man. And, being man, He was not less than the eternal God. Yet, the Scriptures plainly reveal, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

There is a third truth set forth in our text, namely:

III. Jesus is the God-Man! (Reconciliation)

Jesus was not part God and part man. He was totally God! Yet, He was totally man! He did become man, but He was still completely and totally God. He was one hundred per cent God and one hundred per cent man. He was just as much God as if He had never been man. Yet, He was just as much man as if He had never been God. Consequently, He alone is qualified to be the "one Mediator between God and men" (1 Tim. 2:5).

Here are three essentials in the work of reconciliation.

A. The Attitude of the God-Man

Before there can be any reconciliation between two parties, there must be a desire for reconciliation. As God, the Lord Jesus possessed the attitude that was essential for this task. He was divinely engaged in bringing sinners to God. Thus, He did not come in to the world to "condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17).

As man, the attitude of Jesus was that of a reconciler. Without question, He lived to please the Father. He could say, "I do always those things that please Him" (John 8:29). So determined was He to please the Father, His obedience brought Him to "the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:8). On the other hand, as the Friend of sinners, He came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

B. The Ability of the God-Man

All reconciliation demands a mediator, or a go-between - - one who has the ability to identify with and to bring together both the offended and the offender. In His Godhood, Jesus is qualified as a mediator from the divine side of things. As God, He is associated with God Himself, the One offended by our sins. Thus, He is called, "The Mediator of a better covenant" (Heb. 8:6).

In His manhood, Jesus is qualified as a mediator from the human side of things. As man, He is attached to the offenders, the offspring of Adam, who have sinned against God. In this light, as the God-man, He is the only One Who can join the great expanse between God's holiness and our unholiness. He is "the Mediator between God and men" (1 Tim. 2:5).

C. The Accomplishment of the God-Man

Not only was reconciliation the desire of Christ, and not only is He qualified for this work, but according to the Scriptures, He has finished the work. He has 'made peace through the blood of His cross . . . to reconcile all things unto Himself' (Col. 1:20). Because of Christ and His cross, God no longer views us as His 'enemies' (Col. 1:21; see 1:22).

As God, Jesus has brought God to us. But, as man, He has brought us to God. He has reconciled us "unto God," He has "slain the enmity," and He has given us "access by one Spirit unto the

Father" (Eph. 2:16, 18). Certainly, we are not acceptable because of who we are or because of what we have done. But, thank God, we are "accepted in the Beloved," or in Christ (Eph. 1:6).

Conclusion

When Ralph Waldo Emerson was asked why he did not include Jesus among his "Representative Men," he answered, "Jesus was not just a man!" Oh, how true! Jesus is God! Jesus is man! Jesus is the God-man! He is "The God Who Became Man!" And, as "the one Mediator between God and men,' He is our only Hope in this world and in the world to come!